Methods and systems for delivering travel-related information

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems are provided for delivering travel related information with an intelligent network. One method embodiment includes establishing a communication with the intelligent network through an access device, determining a location of the access device, and obtaining the travel-related information with the access device through the intelligent network, wherein the travel-related information includes data related to a location of the access device. Additional system and computer-readable media embodiments of the present methods and systems are also provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/459,879, filed Jul. 25, 2006, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 10/237,346, filed Sep. 9, 2002, the entireties ofwhich are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present methods and systems are generally related to methods andsystems for communicating information. The present methods and systemsare more particularly related to methods and systems for communicatingtravel-related information.

Travelers deal with traffic and weather conditions every day. Thosetravelers who are forced to use (or who are unfortunate or uninformedenough to choose) relatively congested routes, or routes experiencingadverse weather conditions, can be subject to excessive travel time.Local radio and television stations attempt to relieve this problem bybroadcasting reports. Television reports can provide traffic and weatherinformation, but typically cannot be accessed while a traveler is intransit. Radio reports can broadcast traffic information accessiblewhile the traveler is in transit, however such reports often cover theentire listening area of a station. As a result, the information relatedto the specific location of a traveler can be interspersed with a greatdeal of useless information, or omitted altogether. Also, both radio andtelevision reports are typically broadcast only at certain timeintervals. Often, by the time information relevant to the situation ofthe traveler is received, the traveler is already committed to a routeof travel.

The advent of the mobile telephone spawned new attempts to solvetraveler-related problems. There are some existing methods and systemsthat can alert the traveler of traffic congestion via a mobiletelephone. Like television and radio reports, however, these alertstypically provide the traveler with more information than is requiredand are not typically available on demand. Other existing methods andsystems allow the traveler to access traffic data relating to a route oftravel through a menu prompt. These methods and systems can becumbersome and dangerous, however, as they may require the traveler tonavigate numerous menus and buttons while driving.

What are needed are methods and systems that can provide in real-time ornear real-time traffic and weather information related to a location ofinterest to a traveler.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the present methods and systems are directed to amethod of obtaining travel-related information with an intelligentnetwork. The method includes, establishing a communication with theintelligent network through an access device, determining a location ofthe access device, and obtaining the travel-related information with theaccess device through the intelligent network, wherein thetravel-related information includes data related to a location of theaccess device.

In one embodiment, the present methods and systems are directed to asystem of delivering travel-related information with an intelligentnetwork. The system includes an access device, means for determining alocation of the access device, and means for obtaining thetravel-related information with the access device through theintelligent network, wherein the travel-related information includesdata related to a location of the access device.

In one embodiment, the present methods and systems are directed to acomputer-readable medium containing instructions for performing methodsfor obtaining travel-related information with an intelligent network.The method includes establishing a communication with the intelligentnetwork through an access device, determining a location of the accessdevice, and obtaining the travel-related information with the accessdevice through the intelligent network, wherein the travel-relatedinformation includes data related to a location of the access device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the present methods and systems to be clearly understood and readilypractices, the present methods and systems will be described inconjunction with the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of one embodiment of an Advanced IntelligentNetwork (AIN) that can be configured for integration with a publicswitched telephone network;

FIG. 2 is a system diagram of one embodiment of a Wireless IntelligentNetwork (WIN) that can be configured for integration with a publicswitched telephone network; and,

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method ofdelivering travel-related information utilizing an AIN and an accessdevice.

DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the presentmethods and systems have been amplified to illustrate elements that arerelevant for a clear understanding of the present methods and systems,while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, other elements. Those ofordinary skill in the art will recognize, however, that these and otherelements can be desirable. However, because such elements are well knownin the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding ofthe present methods and systems, a discussion of such elements is notprovided herein.

As used herein, the term “intelligent network” generally refers to acommunication network configured for use with the present methods andsystems. An intelligent network may be an Advanced Intelligent Network(AIN) or a Wireless Intelligent Network (WIN), for example.

As used herein, the term “traveler” generally refers to the person orunit party to a telecommunication other than the method or systemservicing the telecommunication.

As used herein, the term “access device” generally refers to a devicefor accessing a telecommunications network including, but not limitedto, a telephone, a mobile telephone, a computer, a personal digitalassistant, a laptop computer, or a pager.

As used herein, the term “‘*’ code” generally refers to a symbol, suchas for example a ‘*’, followed by one or more alphanumeric charactersarranged for convenience of traveler memorization, such as *road or*traffic, for example.

As used herein, the term “travel-related information” refers toinformation that is related to a location, such as traffic informationand/or weather information, for example. Travel-related informationrelating to traffic can include reports describing the number and speedof vehicles on roadways. The reports can be prepared by local televisionstations, radio stations or web sites for example. The information usedto compile the reports can be gathered, for example, manually, from ahelicopter or other high vantage point, or automatically, via remotesensors mounted near roadways. Travel-related information relating toweather can include, for example, a general description of the weatherconditions expected in a location, or severe weather bulletins for thatlocation. Travel-related information relating to weather is generallycompiled by television stations, radio stations, or web sites.Travel-related information related to both traffic and weather can alsobe related to a direction of travel.

The term “call” refers to an interaction between an access device and atelecommunications network.

In various embodiments, methods and systems for deliveringtravel-related information with an intelligent network are providedherein. One method embodiment includes establishing communication withan intelligent network through an access device, determining a locationof the access device, and obtaining travel-related information.Additional system and computer-readable medium embodiments of thepresent methods and systems are also provided.

According to various embodiments of the present methods and systems, theintelligent functionality of an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) or aWireless Intelligent Network (WIN) can be utilized. The AIN and WIN arenetworks that can be configured for use in conjunction with thenationwide public switched telephone network (PSTN) (not shown), toprovide enhanced voice and data services and dynamic routingcapabilities using two different networks. Voice calls, for example, aretransmitted over a circuit-switched network, but the signalingassociated with voice calls, is performed on a separate network. Beforedescribing details of the present methods and systems, descriptions ofthe AIN and the WIN are provided.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) 10for integration with the PSTN (not shown). The AIN 10 can be employed bya Local Exchange Carrier (LEC) (not shown), and can be utilized by theLEC to allow the LEC to provide call processing features and servicesthat are not embedded within conventional switching circuits of thePSTN.

The AIN 10 can include a number of central office (CO) switches forinterconnecting access devices 22 with the PSTN. In FIG. 1, the COswitches are indicated as Service Switching Point (SSP) switches 12 andNon-Service Switching Point (Non-SSP) switches 16. The dashed lines 14between the SSP switches 12 and the Non-SSP switch 16 indicate that thenumber of CO switches in the AIN 10 can vary depending on the particularrequirements of the AIN 10. The difference between the SSP switches 12and the Non-SSP switch 16 is that the SSP switches 12 provideintelligent network functionality. Interconnecting the SSP switches 12and the non-SSP switch 16 are communication links 18 which can be, forexample, trunk circuits.

Each SSP switch 12 and non-SSP switch 16 can have a number of subscriberlines 20 connected thereto. The subscriber lines 20 can be, for example,conventional twisted pair loop circuits connected between the switches12, 16 and the telephone drops for the customer premises, or thesubscriber lines 20 can be trunk circuits, such as T-1 trunk circuits,for example. The subscriber lines 20 can connect with a wireline accessdevice 22 such as, for example, a wireline telephone or a fax machine.

For the AIN 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, each SSP switch 12 and non-SSPswitch 16 is connected to a signal transfer point (STP) 24 viacommunication links 26, 28, and 30. The communication links 26, 28 and30 can employ, for example, the SS7 switching protocol. Also, in oneembodiment, the communication links 26, 28, and 30 can be T1 trunkcircuits. In one aspect, the STP 24 can be a multi-port high-speedswitch that is programmed to respond to the routing information in theappropriate layer of the switching protocol, and that can route dataqueries to their intended destination.

One of the intended destinations of the data queries from the STP 24 isa service control point (SCP) 34. The STP 24 is in communication withthe SCP 34 via a communication link 32, which can also employ the SS7switching protocol. The communication link 32 can be, for example, a T1trunk circuit. The SCP 34 can be an intelligent database server such as,for example, an Intelligent Network Service Control Point (availablefrom Lucent Technologies Inc., Murray Hill, N.J.), and can have anassociated network database 36 for storing network data. The intelligentfunctionality of the SCP 34 can be realized by application programs,such as programmable Service Program Applications (SPA), which are runby the SCP 34. The SCP 34 can be employed to implement high volumerouting services, such as call forwarding and number portabilitytranslation and routing, for example. In addition, another function ofthe SCP 34 is hosting the network database 36, which can storesubscriber information, such as subscriber call management profiles, forexample.

The AIN 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 also includes a services node (SN) 38.The SN 38 can be, by way of example, a Compact Services Node (CSN) or anEnhanced Media Resource Server (both available from Lucent TechnologiesInc., Murray Hill, N.J.). Also, the SN 38 can be any other type ofavailable AIN-compliant SN. In one embodiment, the SN 38 can host aServices Node Database (SN database) 40. The SN database can containinformation such as the travel-related information utilized by thepresent methods and systems, for example. The SN 38 can be connected toone or more of the SSP switches 12 via a communications link 42 whichcan be, for example, an Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN),including BRI (Basic Rate Interface) or PRI (Primary Rate Interface)lines. According to other embodiments, the communications link 42 canbe, for example, a T-1 trunk circuit. The SN 38 can be used when anenhanced feature or service is employed that requires an audioconnection to the call such as, for example, call return and callingname services. Similar to the SCP 34, the intelligent functionality ofthe SN 38 can be realized by programmable applications executable by theSN 38.

A set of triggers can be defined for each call at one or more of the SSPswitches 12. A trigger in an AIN 10 is an event associated with aparticular subscriber line 20. A trigger generates a data query to besent from the SSP switch 12 servicing the particular subscriber line 20to the SCP 34 via the STP 24. The triggers can be originating triggersfor calls originating from the subscriber premises or terminatingtriggers for calls terminating at the subscriber premises. A triggercauses a message in the form of a query to be sent from the SSP switch12 through the STP 24 to the SCP 34.

The SCP 34 can interrogate the network database 36 to determine whethersome customized call feature or enhanced service should be implementedfor the particular call, or whether conventional dial-up telephoneservice should be provided. The results of the network database 36inquiry are sent back from the SCP 34 to the SSP switch 12 via the STP24. The return message can include instructions to the SSP switch 12concerning how to process the call. For example, the return message caninclude instructions to take a special action as a result of acustomized calling service or enhanced feature. For an enhanced callingfeature requiring the capabilities of the SN 38, the return message fromthe SCP 34 can include instructions for the SSP switch 12 to route thecall to the SN 38. Also, the return message from the SCP 34 can simplybe an indication that there is no entry in the network database 36 thatindicates anything other than conventional telephone service should beprovided for the call. The query and return messages can be formatted,for example, according to conventional SS7 TCAP (TransactionCapabilities Application Part) formats.

The AIN 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes only one STP 24, one SCP 34,one network database 36, and one SN 38, although the AIN 10 can furtherinclude an additional number of these components as well as othernetwork components that are not included in FIG. 1 for purposes ofclarity. For example, the AIN 10 can additionally include redundant SCPsand STPs (not shown) that are configured to function in the event thatthe STP 24 or the SCP 34 fails. In addition, the AIN 10 can include anAutomatic Electronic Switching System (AESS) Network Access Point (NAP)(not shown) in communication with the STP 24, which can be programmed todetect the trigger conditions. Further, the AIN 10 can include regionalSTPs and regional SCPs (not shown) in communication with, for example,the local STP 24, for routing and servicing long distance calls betweendifferent LECs. Also, depending on configuration, certain AIN 10hardware may be used in a WIN 120, including SCP's 34, STP's 24, andSN's 38, for example.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a Wireless Intelligent Network (WIN) 120for integration with the PSTN 152. The WIN 120 can be employed by aLocal Exchange Carrier (LEC) (not shown), and can be utilized by the LECto allow the LEC to provide call processing features and services thatare not embedded within conventional switching circuits of the PSTN.

The WIN 120 can include a number of central office (CO) switches forinterconnecting one or more access devices 140 with the PSTN. In FIG. 2,the CO switches are indicated as Mobile Switching Center (MSC) switches134. The dashed lines 144 between the MSC switches 134 indicate that thenumber of CO switches in the WIN 120 can vary depending on theparticular requirements of the WIN 120. Interconnecting the MSC switches134 are communication links 136 which can be, for example, trunkcircuits.

Each MSC switch 134 can be connected with a cell site 138. The cell site138 can be in communication with a remote access device 140, such as amobile phone or a personal digital assistant, for example. Additionally,each MSC switch 134 can be connected to the PSTN 152 via a communicationlink 154. The communication link 154 can be a T1 trunk circuit, forexample.

For the WIN 120 illustrated in FIG. 2, each MSC switch 134 is connectedto a signal transfer point (STP) 128 via communication links 130 and132. The communication links 130 and 132 can employ, for example, theSS7 switching protocol. Also, in one embodiment, the communication links130 and 132 can be T1 trunk circuits. In one aspect, the STP 128 can bea multi-port high-speed switch that is programmed to respond to therouting information in the appropriate layer of the switching protocol,and that can route data queries to their intended destination.

One of the intended destinations of the data queries from the STP 128 isa service control point (SCP) 124. The STP 128 is in communication withthe SCP 124 via a communication link 126, which can also employ the SS7switching protocol. The communication link 126 can be, for example, a T1trunk circuit. The SCP 124 can be an intelligent database server suchas, for example, an Intelligent Network Service Control Point (availablefrom Lucent Technologies Inc., Murray Hill, N.J.), and can have anassociated network database 122 for storing network data. Theintelligent functionality of the SCP 124 can be realized by applicationprograms, such as programmable Service Program Applications (SPA), whichare run by the SCP 124, The SCP 124 can be employed to implement highvolume routing services, such as call forwarding and number portabilitytranslation and routing, for example. In addition, another function ofthe SCP 124 is hosting the network database 122, which can storesubscriber information, such as subscriber call management profiles, forexample.

The WIN 120 illustrated in FIG, 2 also includes a services node (SN)148. The SN 148 can be, by way of example, a Compact Services Node (CSN)or an Enhanced Media Resource Server (both available from LucentTechnologies Inc., Murray Hill, N.J.). Also, the SN 148 can be any othertype of available WIN-compliant SN. In one embodiment, the SN 148 canhost a Services Node Database (SN database) 150. The SN database cancontain WIN information such as the travel-related information utilizedby the present methods and systems, for example. The SN 148 can beconnected to one or more of the MSC switches 134 via a communicationslink 146 which can be, for example, an Integrated Service DigitalNetwork (ISDN), including BRI (Basic Rate Interface) or PRI (PrimaryRate Interface) lines. According to other embodiments, thecommunications link 146 can be, for example, a T-1 trunk circuit. The SN148 can be used when an enhanced feature or service is employed thatrequires an audio connection to the call such as, for example, callreturn and calling name services. Similar to the SCP 124, theintelligent functionality of the SN 148 can be realized by programmableapplications executable by the SN 148.

A set of triggers can be defined for each call at one or more of the MSCswitches 134. A trigger in a WIN 120 is an event associated with aparticular cell site 138. A trigger generates a data query to be sentfrom the MSC switch 134, servicing the particular cell site 138, to theSCP 124 via the STP 128. The triggers can be originating triggers forcalls originating from the subscriber equipment or terminating triggersfor calls terminating at the subscriber equipment. A trigger causes amessage in the form of a query to be sent from the MSC switch 134,through the STP 128 to the SCP 124.

The SCP 124 can interrogate the network database 122 to determinewhether some customized call feature or enhanced service should beimplemented for the particular call, or whether conventional dial-uptelephone service should be provided. The results of the networkdatabase 122 inquiry are sent back from the SCP 124 to the MSC switch134, via the STP 128. The return message can include instructions to theMSC switch 134, concerning how to process the call. For example, thereturn message can include instructions to take a special action as aresult of a customized calling service or enhanced feature. For anenhanced calling feature requiring the capabilities of the SN 148, thereturn message from the SCP 124 can include instructions for the MSCswitch 134 to route the call to the SN 148. Also, the return messagefrom the SCP 124 can simply be an indication that there is no entry inthe network database 122 that indicates anything other than conventionaltelephone service should be provided for the call. The query and returnmessages can be formatted, for example, according to conventional SS7TCAP (Transaction Capabilities Application Part) formats.

The WIN 120 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes only one STP 128, one SCP124, one network database 122, and one SN 148, although the WIN 120 canfurther include an additional number of these components as well asother network components that are not included in FIG. 2 for purposes ofclarity. For example, the WIN 120 can additionally include redundantSCPs and STPs (not shown) that are configured to function in the eventthat the STP 128 or the SCP 124 fails. In addition, the WIN 120 caninclude an Automatic Electronic Switching System (AESS) Network AccessPoint (NAP) (not shown) in communication with the STP 128, which can beprogrammed to detect the trigger conditions. Further, the WIN 120 caninclude regional STPs and regional SCPs (not shown) in communicationwith, for example, the local STP 128, for routing and servicing longdistance calls between different LECs. Also, depending on configuration,certain WIN 120 hardware may be used in an AIN 10, including SCP's 124,STP's 128, and SN's 148, for example.

In one embodiment, the present methods and systems can use theintelligent functionality of a WIN 120, as shown in FIG. 2, to obtaintravel-related information with a remote access device 140 according tothe flow diagram illustrated in FIG. 3. Communication can be establishedwith the WIN 120 through a remote access device 140 in step 220. Theremote access device 140 can initiate a communication by sendinginformation to the cell site 138. The information can contain, forexample, the digits dialed, the ten-digit number of the remote accessdevice 140, the serial number of the remote access device 140, and thefive-digit system identification (SID) of the remote access device 140.The cell site 138 can then forward the information to the MSC switch134.

In one embodiment of the present methods and systems, the traveleraccesses the WIN 120 by entering a ‘*’ code. In this embodiment, whenthe MSC switch 134 receives the information from the remote accessdevice 140 via the cell site 138, it communicates with the SCP 124 viathe STP 128. The SCP 124 then consults a look-up table in the networkdatabase 122. The look-up table contains a standard telephone numbercorresponding to the ‘*’ code. The SCP 124 then sends the standardtelephone number to the MSC switch 134 via the STP 128. In subsequentcommunications between the MSC switch 134 and other components of theWIN 120, the MSC switch 134 can substitute the standard telephone numberfor the actual characters entered.

In one embodiment, the WIN 120 can determine whether the traveler isentitled to obtain travel-related information in step 222. When the MSCswitch 134 receives the information from the remote access device 140via the cell site 138, a request trigger is activated, The requesttrigger causes a message to be sent to the SCP 124 via the STP 128. Themessage can contain the information received by the MSC switch 134 fromthe remote access device 140. Further, the message can be configuredaccording to the SS7 protocol. The SCP 124 queries its network database122 to determine if the remote access device 140 is entitled to obtaintravel-related information.

The SCP 124 then prepares a return message that can be routed to the MSCswitch 134 via the STP 128. If the remote access device 140 is notentitled to obtain travel-related information, then the return messagecan instruct the MSC switch 134 to terminate the call in step 224. Ifthe remote access device 140 is entitled to obtain travel-relatedinformation then the return message can contain instructions for the MSCswitch 134 on how to proceed with the call. Based on the instructionsfrom the return message, the MSC switch 134 can create two variables,which can be named “location” and “speech/text” for example.

In one embodiment, the WIN 120 can prompt the remote access device 140to determine whether the traveler prefers travel-related information inspeech or text form in step 226. The MSC switch 134 can prompt theremote access device 140 to determine whether the traveler preferstravel information in speech or text form. If the traveler prefers texttravel information then the value of “speech/text” can be set to a“text” value, in step 228. If the traveler prefers speech travelinformation, then the value of “speech/text” can be set to a “speech”value in step 230.

In one embodiment, the WIN 120 can, in step 232, prompt the remoteaccess device 140 to determine whether a location of the remote accessdevice 140 will be determined by prompting the remote access device 140,or by other means. If the location of the remote access device 140 is tobe determined by prompting the remote access device 140, then the remoteaccess device 140 can be prompted in step 236 to determine the location.The value of the entered location can be stored as the “location”variable. The remote access device 140 can also be prompted for adirection of travel. If a direction of travel is entered, it can also bestored as the “location” variable. If the location of the remote accessdevice 140 is to be determined by other means, the location of theremote access device 140 is determined in step 240. The value of thislocation can then be stored as the “location” variable. A direction oftravel of the remote access device 140 can also be determined. If adirection of travel of the remote access device 140 is determined, itcan also be stored as the “location” variable. In various embodiments ofthe present methods and systems, the location of the remote accessdevice 140 can be determined by reference to methods and systemsincluding, but not limited to, global positioning systems, triangulationsystems, and Automatic Location Information Systems.

In one embodiment of the present methods and systems, the location ofthe remote access device 140 is found by reference to a globalpositioning system utilizing global positioning satellites 48. Theremote access device 140 can receive data from the global positioningsystem utilizing global positioning satellites 48. In one embodiment,the remote access device 140 can process the raw data from the globalpositioning system utilizing global positioning satellites 48, determinethe location of the remote access device 140 from that data, andtransmit that location to the MSC switch 134, via the cell site 138. Inanother embodiment, the remote access device 140 can transmit the rawdata from the global positioning system utilizing global positioningsatellites 48 to the MSC switch 134, via the cell site 138. The MSCswitch 134 can process the data and determine the location of the remoteaccess device 140.

In another embodiment of the present methods and systems, the locationof the remote access device 140 is found by triangulation. Triangulationcan be implemented by, for example, a Time Difference of Arrival method(TDOA). With a TDOA method, at least two cell sites 138 receive a signalfrom the remote access device 140. The distance between each cell site138 and the remote access device 140 can be extrapolated from the timethat elapses between the sending of the signal by the remote accessdevice 140 and the receiving of the signal by the individual cell sites138. From the distance between the remote access device 140 and two cellsites 138 of known location, the location of the remote access device140 can be calculated. Triangulation can also be implemented by an Angleof Arrival method (AOA). With an AOA method, the direction from whichthe signal of the remote access device 140 arrives is measured from atleast two cell sites 138. The point where these two directions intersectis the location of the remote access device 140. Triangulation can alsobe implemented by an Enhanced Observed Time Difference method (EOTD).With an EOTD method, a time-synchronized signal is sent from multiplecell sites 138 to the remote access device 140. The difference inarrival time between the signals from the multiple cell sites 138 allowsthe remote access device 140 to calculate its own location, which isthen sent to the cell sites 138.

In yet another embodiment, the location of the remote access device 140is found by an Automatic Location Information System. According to thissystem, the ten-digit number corresponding to the remote access device140 is used to look up the location at which the remote access device140 is connected to the WIN 120.

In another embodiment of the present methods and systems, the directionof travel of the remote access device 140 can be determined. By way ofexample, the direction of travel of the remote access device 140 may beextrapolated from the position of the remote access device 140 over arange of times. The position of the remote access device 140 can bedetermined, by example, by reference to a global positioning system, atriangulation system, or an Automatic Location Information System, asdescribed hereinabove.

Travel-related information can be stored on the SN database 150.Travel-related information can be stored in the form of words and/ornumbers describing traffic congestion, for example. Travel-relatedinformation can also be in the form of pictures representing trafficcongestion. Examples of pictures representing traffic congestion caninclude pictures of the type displayed on the “http://www.traffic.com”Internet site, for example.

In one embodiment, the present methods and systems can obtaintravel-related information in step 242. The MSC switch 134 can prepare areturn message and send it to the SN 148. The message can contain thevalues of the “speech/text” and “location” variables. The MSC switch 134can establish a data circuit between itself and the SN 148 overcommunication link 146, which can be an ISDN line, for example. If thevalue of “speech/text” equals “speech” then the MSC switch 134 can alsoestablish a voice circuit between itself and the SN 148 overcommunication link 146, which can be an ISDN line. When the SN 148receives the return message containing the values of the “speech/text”and “location” variables from the MSC switch 134 it can query the SNdatabase 150 to obtain applicable travel-related information in step242. Applicable travel-related information can pertain, for example, tothe location and direction of travel of the remote access device 140.

In one embodiment, the present methods and systems delivertravel-related information to the remote access device 140 in step 244.A voice or text message can be sent to the MSC switch 134 over the voiceand or data circuits established in step 242. The MSC switch 134 canthen send the information to the cell site 138 which can send it to theremote access device 140.

In one embodiment, the present methods and systems can use theintelligent functionality of an AIN 10, as shown in FIG. 1, to obtaintravel-related information with a wireline access device 22 according tothe flow diagram illustrated in FIG. 3. Communication can be establishedwith the AIN 10 through a wireline access device 22 in step 220. Thewireline access device 22 can initiate a communication by sendinginformation to the SSP switch 12.

In one embodiment of the present methods and systems, the traveleraccesses the AIN 10 by entering a ‘*’ code. In this embodiment, when theSTP switch 12 receives the information from the wireline access device22, it communicates with the SCP 34 via the STP 24. The SCP 34 thenconsults a look-up table in the network database 36. The look-up tablecontains a standard telephone number corresponding to the code. The SCP34 then sends the standard telephone number to the STP switch 12 via theSTP 24. In subsequent communications between the STP switch 12 and othercomponents of the AIN 10, the STP switch 12 can substitute the standardtelephone number for the actual characters entered.

In one embodiment, the AIN 10 can determine whether the traveler isentitled to obtain travel-related information in step 222. When the SSPswitch 12 receives the information from the wireline access device 22, arequest trigger is activated. The request trigger causes a message to besent to the SCP 34 via the STP 24. The message can contain theinformation received by the SSP switch 12 from the wireline accessdevice 22. Further, the message can be configured according to the SS7protocol. The SCP 34 can query its network database 36 to determine ifthe wireline access device 22 is entitled to obtain travel-relatedinformation.

The SCP 34 then prepares a return message that can be routed to the SSPswitch 12 via the STP 24. If the wireline access device 22 is notentitled to obtain travel-related information then the return messagecan instruct the SSP switch 12 to terminate the call in step 224. If thewireline access device 22 is entitled to obtain travel-relatedinformation then the return message can contain instructions for the SSPswitch 12 on how to proceed with the call. Based on the instructions theSSP switch 12 can create two variables which, for example, can be named“location” and “speech/text.”

In one embodiment, the AIN 10 can prompt the wireline access device 22to determine whether the traveler prefers travel-related information inspeech or text form in step 226. The SSP switch 12 can prompt thewireline access device 22 to determine whether the traveler preferstravel information in speech or text form. If the traveler prefers texttravel information then the value of “speech/text” can be set to “text,”in step 228. If the traveler prefers speech travel information, then thevalue of “speech/text” can be set to “speech” in step 230.

In one embodiment, the AIN 10 can, in step 232, prompt the wirelineaccess device 22 to determine whether a location of the wireline accessdevice 22 will be determined by prompting the wireline access device 22,or by other means. If the location of the wireline access device 22 isto be determined by prompting the wireline access device 22, then thewireline access device 22 can be prompted in step 236 to determine thelocation. The value of the entered location can be stored as the“location” variable. The wireline access device 22 can also be promptedfor a direction of travel. If a direction of travel is entered, it canalso be stored as the “location” variable. If the location of the remoteaccess device is to be determined by other means, the location of theremote access device 42 is determined in step 240. The value of thislocation can then be stored as the “location” variable. A direction oftravel of the wireline access device 22 may also be determined. If adirection of travel of the wireline access device 22 is determined, itcan also be stored as the “location” variable. In various embodiments ofthe present methods and systems, the location of the wireline accessdevice 22 can be determined by reference to methods and systemsincluding, but not limited to, global positioning systems, triangulationsystems, and Automatic Location Information Systems.

In one embodiment of the present methods and systems, the location of awireline access device containing GPS circuitry 22 a is found byreference to a global positioning system utilizing global positioningsatellites 48. The wireline access device 22 a can receive data from theglobal positioning system utilizing global positioning satellites 48. Inone embodiment, the wireline access device 22 a can process the raw datafrom the global positioning system utilizing global positioningsatellites 48, determine the location of the wireline access device 22 afrom that data, and transmit that location to the SSP switch 12. Inanother embodiment, the wireline access device 22 a can transmit the rawdata from the global positioning system utilizing global positioningsatellites 44 to the SSP switch 12. The SSP switch 12 can process thedata and determine the location of the wireline access device 22 a.

In yet another embodiment, the location of the wireline access device 22is found by an Automatic Location Information System. According to thissystem, the ten-digit number corresponding to the wireline access device22 is used to look-up the location at which the wireline access device22 is connected to the AIN 10.

In another embodiment of the present methods and systems, the directionof travel of the wireline access device 22 can be determined. By way ofexample, the direction of travel of the wireline access device 22 may beextrapolated from the position of the wireline access device 22 over arange of times. The position of the wireline access device 22 can bedetermined, for example, by reference to a global positioning system, atriangulation system, or an Automatic Location Information System, asdescribed hereinabove.

Travel-related information can be stored on the SN database 40.Travel-related information can be stored in the form of words and/ornumbers describing traffic congestion, for example. Travel-relatedinformation can also be in the form of pictures representing trafficcongestion. Examples of pictures representing traffic congestion caninclude pictures of the type displayed on the “http://www.traffic.com”Internet site, for example.

In one embodiment, the present methods and systems can obtaintravel-related information in step 242. The SSP switch 12 can prepare areturn a message and send it to the SN 38. The message can contain thevalues of the “speech/text” and “location” variables. The SSP switch 12can establish a data circuit between itself and the SN 38 overcommunication link 42, which can be an ISDN line, for example. If thevalue of “speech/text” equals “speech,” then the SSP switch 12 can alsoestablish a voice circuit between itself and the SN 38 overcommunication link 42, which can be an ISDN line. When the SN 38receives the return message containing the values of the “speech/text”and “location” variables from the SSP switch 12 it can query the SNdatabase 40 to retrieve applicable travel-related information in step242. Applicable travel-related information can pertain, for example, tothe location and direction of travel of the wireline access device 22.

In one embodiment, the present methods and systems delivertravel-related information to the wireline access device 22 in step 244.A voice or text message can be sent to the SSP switch 12 over the voiceand or data circuits established in step 242. The SSP switch 12 can thendeliver the travel-related information to the wireline access device 22.

Travel-related information can be gathered and transmitted to the SN's38, 148 and the SN databases 40, 150 in a number of ways. In oneembodiment, people in a helicopter or at another high vantage point cangather travel-related information relating to traffic including therelative number and speed of vehicles on particular roadways. Thistravel-related information can be relayed to the operator of a personalcomputer 46, for example. The operator of the personal computer 46 canupload the travel-related information to the SN's 38, 148 and/or SNdatabases 40, 150 using TCP/IP protocol, for example. The vehicle forthis TCP/IP communication can be the Internet 44, for example. Inanother embodiment, sensors positioned on or near roadways can gathertravel-related information relating to traffic. The sensors can gatherinformation regarding the number and speed of vehicles on particularroadways, for example. This travel-related information can be sent tothe personal computer 46 with or without a human operator. Also, thepersonal computer 46 can be located at the place where travel-relatedinformation is gathered, such as the helicopter or sensors, for example,or at another location.

The term “computer-readable medium” is defined herein as understood bythose skilled in the art. It can be appreciated that various methodsteps described herein may be performed, in certain embodiments, usinginstructions stored on a computer-readable medium or media that directsa computer system to perform the method steps. A computer-readablemedium can include, for example, memory devices such as diskettes,compact discs of both read-only and writeable varieties, optical diskdrives, and hard disk drives. A computer-readable medium can alsoinclude memory storage that can be physical, virtual, permanent,temporary, semi-permanent and/or semi-temporary. A computer-readablemedium can further include one or more data signals transmitted on oneor more carrier waves.

It can be appreciated that, in some embodiments of the present methodsand systems disclosed herein, a single component can be replaced bymultiple components, and multiple components replaced by a singlecomponent, to perform a given function. Except where such substitutionwould not be operative to practice the present methods and systems, suchsubstitution is within the scope of the present methods and systems.

Examples presented herein are intended to illustrate potentialimplementations of the present telecommunication method and systemembodiments. It can be appreciated that such examples are intendedprimarily for purposes of illustration. No particular aspect or aspectsof the example method and system embodiments described herein areintended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Whereas particular embodiments of the invention have been describedherein for the purpose of illustrating the invention and not for thepurpose of limiting the same, it can be appreciated by those of ordinaryskill in the art that numerous variations of the details, materials andarrangement of parts may be made within the principle and scope of theinvention without departing from the invention as described in theappended claims.

1. A system for providing travel-related information, comprising: a database configured to store subscriber information associated with at least one access device; and a control device configured to: receive a communication from the access device, the communication including: a request for travel-related information, the travel-related information being associated with the location of the access device at the time the communication was initiated; a code to identify the communication as a request for access to the database containing the travel-related information; and information that identifies the access device; determine whether the access device is entitled to receive the travel-related information based on the subscriber information stored in the database; if the access device is entitled to receive the travel-related information: prompt the access device for selection of a method to determine the location of the access device, wherein the location of the access device is determined according to the selected method, over a range of times, and wherein a direction of travel of the access device is determined by extrapolating the location of the access device over the range of times; and send the travel-related information, including data related to the determined location of the access device and the determined direction of travel of the access device, to the access device, wherein the travel-related information comprises content including weather related to the determined location of the access device and weather related to the determined direction of travel of the access device.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the travel-related information further includes traffic information.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the travel-related information is sent to the access device in a format selected from the group consisting of text and speech, wherein the format is specified by user preferences.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the control device is further configured to receive a selection of the format for delivering the travel-related information from the access device during normal operation and store the selection as a user preference for future delivery of travel-related information.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the travel-related information comprises photographs of traffic in proximity to the location of the access device.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the travel-related information is obtained using at least one of aerial reconnaissance vehicles, remote terrestrial sensors and manual observation.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the information that identifies the access device includes at least one of a phone number, a serial number, and a wireless system identifier.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the location of the access device is determined based on the access device's phone number.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the location of the access device is determined based on triangulation of a communication signal to the access device. 